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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

s. J. PLATOW. MAGHINE POR WRAPPING GIGARS.

No. 401,147. Patented Apr. 9, 1889.A

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S. J. FLATOW. MACHINE FOR'WRAPPING GIGARS. No. 401,147. PatentedApr. 9,1889t (No Model.) n 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

S. J. FLATUW.

MAGHINB EUR WRAPPING GIGARS.

No. 401,147. PatenteaApr. 9, 1889.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

sf J. PLATOW. MACHINE POR WRAPING GIGARS."

No. 401,147. Patented Apr. 9, 1889.v

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UNITED Sintes armer @ritten SIMON J. FLATON, OF NE\Y YORK, Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONlllllAlllf TO LOUIS HEBER., OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING CIGARS.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,147, dated April 9, 1889.

Application filed June 13, 1888. Serial No. 276,939. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON J. FLATOW, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Yrapping Cigars, of which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines for applying wrappers to cigar-bunches in which the winding or rolling operation is performed by .means of an endless traveling' belt in which a bightconforming to the shape of the cigar-bunch is made by guide-rollers over which the belt passes. 1n machines of such description it has been found impossible to make perfect or solid heads, because the Slo-called tip former or mold does not preclude the liability of the wrapper passing beyond the tip of the cigar-bunch. In consequence of such movement a false head is formed, which, when dry, is easily broken off and detracts from the value of the cigar. In the present invention I avoid the formation of the so-called false head, the wrapperbeing at no time permitted to pass beyond the point-or tip of the cigar-bunch, it being distinctly understood that no trimming or cutting is required to prevent the formation of the objectionable protrusion termed a false head.

In my improved machine the wrapper previously out out into the required form is by a special arrangement of parts properly pre sented to the cigar-bunch, and its tension is maintained while being applied to the bunch. Furthermore, it is guided in a perfect manner during the entire winding or rolling operation, and the formation of a perfect or solid head is insured in every instance.

Another object of my invention is to provide for the simple and easy guidance and adjustment of the endless traveling belt, in order to adapt the machine for wrapping different-sized cigars.

The invention briefly outlined in the foregoing statement consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 view of the machine.

represents a side elevation of my improved. cigar-wrapping machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the entire machine, taken through the line y y of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. is a plan or top 5 5 Fig. l is a perspective view of the upper portion of the machine. Fig. 5 a vertical transverse section of the upper portion. of the machine, taken through the line a: of Fig. 3. Fig. (i is a detail sec- 6o tional view of the endless belt and guide-rolls with the cigar-bunch in position. Figs. '7 and 8 are sections taken, respectively, on the lines 'o L and 'zo 'u' of Fig. l.

The reference-numeral 1 denotes the table 6 5 of my improved cigar-wrapping machine, and 2 the stand or frame-work ofthe same. The table has an opening for the passage of the vertical hangers or standards 3, which constir tute a frame for supporting the mechanism 7o directly concerned in the wrapping operation.

To the top of the table 1 is secured the bedplate 4, having the standards 3 and 100 secured thereto by lianges 3 on said standards and screws or bolts 5. The standards 3 and 7 5 100 are extended above their point of attaclr ment to the bed-plate 4, and constitute bearings or supports for all the parts of the machine that are located above the table.

Beneath the table 1 is arranged a longitudi 8o nal shaft, 6, which has its bearings in verticallyadjustable journal-boxes S, fitted in slots in the standards 3. Set-screws 9, passing through the lower ends of the standards, bear upon the journal-boxes S, and serve to 85 move the same up or down for the object hereinafter stated. A tinted roller, 10, arranged on the shaft G, co-operates with a similar roller, l1, on a shaft, 12, journaled in the sandards 3 and 100, in order to impart mo- 9o tion to an endless traveling belt, 13. This belt passes between the two rollers 10 and 11, goes in an upward direction, and passes over a series of rollers, 14, journaled in longitudinally-adjustable carriages 15 and 1G, and 95 from thence the belt is carried around a roller, 17, having its journals in bearings in the standards 3 and 100. The carriage 15 is fitted on parallel guide-rods 1S, which are secured to the standards and 100. The other roo carriage, 1G, is fitted on similar guide-rods 13, that are secured to a frame formed of arms or plates 1.9, which are connected by pivots 2O with the standards 3 and 10Q, as is more fully shown in Fig. 4.

The carriages 15 and 1G are both alike, and are formed of end plat-es, the tie-rods 21, and the rollers 14. A tiered, 29, connecting the two arms or plates 19, receives a sleeve orcollar, 22, on the upper end of a link, 23. The latter is pivotally connected with the bent upper portion of a vertical rod, 24, which passes through a guide-frame, 25, secured to the frame-work of the table 1. A spring, 26, encircles the rod' 24 between the upper and lower guides of the frame 25. A treadle, 27, at the lower end of the rod 24, is used for depressing the rod and turning the arms or plates 1.9 upon their pivots, as is shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. Upon releasing the treadle the spring 26 serves to restore the frame formed of the plates 19 and attached parts to its closed position. 1

The carriages 15 and 1G, carryin the guiderollers 14, serve to support the endless belt 13, and the latter can be shifted along the driving and guide rollers 10, 11, and 17 by bodily adjusting the carriages longitudinally. This adjustment is effected from the ends of the machine without interference with any of the other parts by means of two screw shafts or rods, 2S and 29, located, respectively, at the opposite ends of the machine. The screw 2S is fitted in the standard 3 and bears upon the carriage 15, and the other screw, 29, on the opposite end of the machine, passes through one of the pivoted plates or arms 19 and bears upon the carriage 1G. A plate, 30, hinged to the arms 19, bridges` the space between the arms 19, and serves to cover and protectthe parts arranged thereunder. This plate also serves to prevent thc vertical displacement of the endless belt.

At the side of the table where the operator sits is -arranged a guide and supporting-plate, 31, for the cigarwvrapper. This plate exten ds lengthwise from another guide plate or surface, 32, to the standard 3, and practically covers the carriage 15 and other parts of the machine at one side of the latter. The plate 31 is connected by hinges with a back plate, 4, which rises from the base-plate 4. By means of said hinges the plate 31 can be turned back to uncover the parts beneath the same in order to gain access thereto for Vari` ous purposes, such as changing the endless belt. The plate 31 is arched or made of a curved shape, so as to present a convex back upon which the wrapper lies. The plate 31 is inclined in a downward direction from the back plate, 4, to the open space formed between its lower edge and the plate 30 at the other side of the machine. The lower edge of the plate 31 describes a curved linein a lengthwise direction, and it is turned under or rounded off, so as not to present any sharp angles to the wrapper. The bi ght formed in the endless belt by the special arrangement of rollers is in a direct vertical line with the open space between the two plates 30 and 31. The guide-plate 32, from which the plate 31 starts, is practically a continuation of the latter, and in practice it is cast or formed in one piece with the end standard, 100, as is shown in Fig. 4 of drawings. In other words, the plate 32, together with other parts necessary to the perfect formation of the cigar-head, constitute an upper inward extension of the end standard, 100. The plate 32 slopes in a downward direction to a cavity, 33, therein, which has a concave bottom and approximates in shapek to the head of a cigar. This cavity starts in an inward direction from a ledge, 34, which is made slightly concave, so as to properly guide one finger of the operator into the cavity and prevent the slipping of the finger. The end of the cavity runs into a point, which is, however, not acute enough to prevent the insertion of the forefinger of the operator into the cavity for the purpose hereinafter stated. rlhe point of the cavity is designated by the reference-numeral 35, and it is formed bythe oblique inner edge, 34, of the ledge 34 and the oblique bot-tom edge, 32a, of the plate 32. Directly above said`bottom edge the plate is made slightly concave, the concavity forming a depression, which is indicated by the numeral 36, and is shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 3 of the drawings. Above the concavity 36, which extends the entire width of the plate 32, the latter is shaped so as to possess a concavity, 37, where it joins the plate 31, and a convex surface, 38,4

at its outer edge, as is shown in Fig. '7.

The function and operation of the various surfaces above described will be referred to in connection with the description of the operation of the machine.

At the end of the machine opposite to where the surfaces just described are arranged is located a longitudinally-adjustable mandrel, 40, which passes through the upper part TOO ITO

of the standard 3 and extends into thevv Inachine, so as to be in axial line with the space between the two carriages 15 and 16. The mandrel is placed in a bearing in the standard 3, and a cap, 41, secured to the top of the latter, constitutes the other half of the bearing. The inner end of the mandrel has ahead, 42, which bears against the butt of the cigarbunch. A collar, 43, near said head bears upon a spiral spring, 44, and holds the same in place upon the mandrel between the inner wall of the standard 3 and said collar. Another collar, 45, .at the outer end of the inandrel serves to hold a spring, 46, in placev between a bracket, 47, and said collar 45. The bracket 47 has a socket for the passage of the sliding mandrel, and itis bolted to the outer side of the standard 3. A pulley, 4S, fitted on the mandrel between the socket 47 and the standard 3, receives a belt, 49, which passes through the table 1 and goes around a pulley,

tinted roller, l0. Motioirbeing applied to the shaft of said roller by a power-shaft, 5l, pulleys 5i and 53, and belt 54, it follows that the endless belt is caused to travel and that the mandrel bearing against the butt of the cigar is made to rotate, so that the cigar-bunch will be tnrnedby the combined action of the belt and the mandrel. The power-shaft 5l has a pulley, 55m-bieb is being constantly driven from a steam-engine or other prime motor. This pulley 55 is combined with a clutch, 5G, in order to lock it to the shaft 5l for driving the wrapping mechanism. A lever, 57, connected with the clutch and pivoted to a bracket, 5S, on the table-frame has a treadle or foot-piece, 59, at its lower' end, which projects under the table, so that the operator can depress the treadle to connect the clutch with the pulley and set the machine in motion. A spring, 60, serves to disenga-ge the clutch from the pulley when. the foot-pressure upon the treadle is removed.

Referring to the operation of themachine, it should be observed that the wrappers to be applied to the cigar-bunches are cut out into the exact form or size by means of appropriate machinery, so that the entire operation of wrapping the bunches or `finishing the cigars ca-n be performed without any subsequent trimming of the wrapper. In order to apply a wrapper to a cigar-bunch the operator places it upon the plate 31,50 that its head portion will come to lie near the point 3l on said plate, while its other end is conducted between the endless belt and the bunch cont-aii'led in the bight of the latter. Thereupon the machine is set in motion by the clutch mechanism, and the movement of the belt and mandrel will cause the wrapper to be sufficiently wound on the bunch, so that upon turning the wrapper to bring` its head portion upon the plate 82 the proper tuck will be formed. As the wrapper is turned, it is caused to lie upon the convexarched back of the plate 31, which serves'to give itthe proper tension and support while it is being gradually wound or wrapped around the bunch. lt will be perceived that the arched plate forms a constant support for the wrapper, and hence the latter is presented to the bunch in the most favorable posit-ion and all liability of tearing or wrinkling is prevented. The head of the wrapper after it is turned from its first position is caused to lie upon the concave surfaces of the plate 32, and as it is gradually wrapped around the bunch the peculiar hook-shaped head follows the contour of the concave surfaces and is fed into the tip-forming head almost without the aid of the operators lingers,

In order to form a perfect solid head the operator places the forelinger of his left hand (the drawings showing a machine for applying left-hand wrap pers) into the tip-forming eavity. The linger is held almost vertically, and the end of the cigar-bunch is made to abut against the inner side of the vfingertip, which practically constitutes, in connection with the concave cavity in which the bunch lies, a

`thimble or mold for the perfect formation of the cigar-head. It should be understood that by causing the end of the cigarbunch to abut or press against the finger held almost vertically in the tip-forming cavity all liability of the wrapper passing beyond the head of the bunch is avoided, and the product of the machine is invariably a cigar with a solid or perfect head. y

l desire it to be understood that in machines where the tip-forming device is shaped so as to allow the linger to be placed only upon the top of the cigar-head the formation of false heads or protrusions beyond the tip is almost invariably the result. As the wrapper is fed into the tip-forming cavity to undergo the conjoint manipulation of the operators finger and the peculiarly-shaped cavity, which constitute together a yielding or elastic thimble, a suitable quantity of paste is taken up from the concave depression 3G on the wrapper-supporting plate 32. This paste is applied to the plate by the operator in any suitable manner In order to adapt the machines for different-sized cigars, the endless belt is moved lengthwise of the machine by means of the screw-shafts connected with the two carriages. The rotating mandrel also, by reason of its spiral springs and adjustable collars, can be set so as to conform to the length ofthe cigarbunch to be wrapped.

It will be perceived that in a machine of the above construction the cigar-bunch while being wrapped is only supported directly at its tip and butt portions. At all other points it is not in contact with either rollers or a belt, and hence excessive friction is avoided and the wrapper is applied with greater ease and facility than in other machines employing a narrow belt and a mold extending the entire length of the cigar-bunch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

`l. In a machine for applying wrappers to cigars, a device for forming the head portion of the cigar, constructed as herein shown and described-that is, comprising a plate or surface having a longitudinal concavity open at its top throughout its entire length and running to a point, the latter being cnt away or open at one side, as described, to permit the tip or ball of the operators linger to beinserted laterally into the point of the concavity, for the object herein stated.

In a machine for wrapping cigars,.the combination of the longitudinallyadjustable carriages, each comprising parallel side plates and rollers fitted between the same, of the narrow endless belt passing over said rollers between the side plates of the carriages, and the stationary guideways or rods upon which the carriages can slide, substantially as herein set forth.

IOO

IIO

same, with the iixed and pivoted frames hav- 15 ing` guideways for said adjustable carriages, and thescreW-shafts on said fixed and pivoted frames for moving the carriages, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as zo my invention I have signed my name, lin presence of two witnesses, this 12th day of June, 1888.

S. J. FLATOV.

Witnesses:

A. M. TANNER, J'. F. QUINN. 

